SIMON Judge fired in a last minute winner to book Pershore Town a place in this season's Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup Final, writes Mervyn Collins.

Tuesday's tie appeared destined for extra-time - or even an abandonment in the freezing conditions - until Judge found the net with a sweet left-footed volley.

Andy Robbins' men looked like crashing out to Bromsgrove Rovers youngsters when Tom Morton gave the visitors a 3-1 lead 11 minutes into the second half.

However, an inspired substitution saw Jamie Rogers replace Chris Wright and, within a minute, the hosts had made it 3-2 when James Rayner tapped in from close-range after a cross from Andy Hodgetts.

The latter had nodded the King George's outfit into the lead after 12 minutes following a cross from Matty Edwards but a superb finish from Ryan Molesworth 15 minutes later tied up the semi-final tie.

Hodgetts missed a great chance to restore Town's lead within seconds but it was Jamie Lambert's goal that led a charmed life until Joe Morton produced another fine finish to give Rovers the lead.

When brother Tom gave the visitors a two-goal cushion, Pershore seemed set for more disappointment but Rayner's strike and a precise right-foot finish from Judge after 71 minutes left the tie all-square.

The sixth goal of the night prompted Evesham referee Jerry Curtis to call the captains together after Lambert had voiced concern over the frozen surface.

However, the game was allowed to continue and Judge's tremendous late winner earned Pershore a final date against either Malvern Town or Brom-yard Town.

There was despair for Town last Saturday when two goals in the final ten minutes consigned them to a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Midland Combination first division leaders Atherstone Town.

Andy Hodgetts netted for a 32nd time this season to nullify an early visiting goal. Pershore then took the lead through Tim Beattie's fine strike and the large band of travelling fans looked set to return home disappointed.

However, Atherstone made it 2-2 ten minutes from time and then grabbed a last minute winner -again from a set-piece - to leave Town in dejected mood.